Sure, you, Jeane Dixon and the Oracle of Delphi all knew that atthe All-Star break the Cardinals and Royals would be on track tobecome the first World Series participants since the 1967 Orioles andDodgers to dive under .500 the next season. And that Ken Schrom wouldhave as many wins (10) as Bret Saberhagen, Ron Guidry and Dave Stiebcombined. And that the season's first two 10-game losers would beex-Cy Young Award winners Saberhagen and Rick Sutcliffe. And thatRance Mulliniks would have more home runs (10) than Jim Rice, ReggieJackson, Tony Armas or Carlton Fisk; that Jim Morrison would havemore RBIs (41) than Dale Murphy; that Joe Sambito would have moresaves (9) than Dan Quisenberry; that Mike LaCoss would have as manyhomers (2) as Willie Upshaw; that Bill (Wild 'n' Wonderful)Mooneyham would have more innings pitched (67 1/3) than JoaquinAndujar; and that the Red Sox, Giants and Angels would be in firstplace. It was all fairly obvious, wasn't it?But no one could have predicted that the headlines after DwightGooden's last start before the break would read DR. KO'D and WHAT'SUP, DOC? In Gooden's dozen starts from May 11 to his HoustonAll-Star showdown with Roger Clemens, baseball's Mozart seemedeminently human for the first time in his three-year career. In thatstretch, Dr. K was only 5-4, with an ERA of 3.84, 62 strikeouts and76 hits in 84 1/3 innings. By midseason the Mets had lost as many ofhis starts (7 of 18) as they lost in his 35 starts last season.The Gooden question is more complex than that of Saberhagen, whohas been hammered and whose apparent lack of concentraton hasirritated manager Dick Howser and his teammates on the Royals. Dwighthasn't been that bad. He has been downright unlucky at times.Everyone around him tries to figure out why Gooden is mortal, and hehears a different answer from every voice: He's throwing too muchbreaking stuff and not throwing hard inside. Hitters have adjustedand are no longer chasing his fastball as it rises out of the strikezone. His curveball has been inconsistent. He has concentrated toomuch on getting economical outs rather than relying on strikeouts.The man has been clocked at 95 mph, so it isn't as if he has losta foot off his fastball. So, while Sid Fernandez and Bobby Ojedaboth may deserve to start the All-Star Game ahead of him, the Doctorisn't likely to be a Mets problem. Jesse Orosco -- who has forcedRoger McDowell into the role of stopper -- might be, because he wasused seven times in eight days in June. Should McDowell lose as muchoff his fastball as Orosco lost on his in June, Mets pitching couldhave a serious hole. Keep in mind that the hard times of DwightGooden read 10-4 at the All-Star break. Ask Rick Langford (1-10)about hard times.

Photo(s):ANTHONY NESTE At the All-Star break, Gooden's stats weregood, but to some, not good enough.